ERA Calculator
Analyze Pitching Performance (Earned Run Average)
What is ERA in Baseball?
Earned Run Average (ERA) is the premier statistic for evaluating a pitcher\'s effectiveness. It calculates the average number of earned runs a pitcher would allow if they pitched a full nine-inning game. Unlike raw win-loss records, ERA focuses on a pitcher\'s ability to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
How to Calculate ERA
The standard formula used by Major League Baseball is:
ERA = (Earned Runs / Innings Pitched) × 9
Note: For 7-inning leagues (like High School), multiply by 7 instead of 9.
ERA Benchmarks & Standards
A "good" ERA depends heavily on the era of baseball and the league. In today\'s Major League Baseball, here is how ERAs are generally graded:
- Under 3.00 (Elite): Reserved for the league\'s top aces and Cy Young contenders.
- 3.00 - 4.00 (Great): A very strong season for a starting pitcher or a top-tier reliever.
- 4.00 - 5.00 (Average): A serviceable middle-of-the-rotation starter.
- Above 5.00 (Below Average): Usually indicates a pitcher struggling with consistency or allowing too many baserunners.
Limitations of ERA
While ERA is the gold standard, it has limitations. It depends heavily on team defense (earned runs vs. unearned runs can be subjective) and ballpark factors (some stadiums are easier to pitch in than others). To get a deeper look at pitching performance, many analysts also look at:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ERA stand for in baseball?
ERA stands for Earned Run Average. It is the most common statistic used to evaluate a pitcher's performance, representing the average number of earned runs they allow for every nine innings pitched.
How do you calculate ERA?
The formula for ERA is: (Earned Runs / Innings Pitched) × 9. If you are playing in a league with fewer innings (like 7-inning high school games), you would multiply by 7 instead of 9.
What is the difference between Runs and Earned Runs?
An 'Earned Run' is any run that scores without the aid of an error or a passed ball. 'Unearned Runs' do not count against a pitcher's ERA.
What is considered a good ERA in MLB?
In the modern MLB era, an ERA under 4.00 is considered solid. An ERA under 3.00 is elite (Cy Young contender level), while anything above 5.00 is generally considered below average for a starter.